Figured out a trick for leveling elevator guide rails after fighting with a laser for 3 hours

I finally tried using a simple water level across the shaft instead of my laser kit and got within 1/16 inch on the first try, has anyone else ditched the fancy tools for the old school method?

2 comments

2 Comments

lewis.diana9h agoRising Star

Watch out for thermal stratification" is a good point but honestly I've had way more trouble with lasers drifting from vibration and dust in these old buildings. You can cancel out temperature effects on a water level by letting it sit for 15 minutes before taking your first reading. Plus with a laser you're chasing a spot that can jump around from a guy walking on the floor above, while water settles dead still once it equalizes. Give me a bucket and some tubing any day over electronics that need batteries and calibration.

ivan_perez13h ago

Watch out for thermal stratification in tall shafts that can mess with a water level too, I had one split 1/4 inch from top to bottom just from temp differences.